Netanyahu Engages with Trump on Hostage Release as Israeli Officials Anticipate Deal Soon
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Tel Aviv, Dec 16 (NationPress) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he conversed with US President-elect Donald Trump about the continuous efforts to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Israeli officials hinted that a deal might be finalized in less than two weeks despite some ongoing negotiation challenges.
The Prime Minister revealed that he and Trump discussed "at length the measures we are undertaking to retrieve our hostages," but he refrained from providing detailed information, according to The Times of Israel.
"We are tirelessly working to bring our hostages home, both the living and the deceased together," he emphasized, adding, "the less we disclose about it, the better -- this way, with God's assistance, we will prevail."
An unnamed Israeli official stated to the Israel Hayom daily on Sunday that a ceasefire-hostage agreement is likely to be finalized by Hanukkah, commencing on the evening of December 25 this year.
Currently, however, discussions are stalled regarding the quantity of hostages to be released in a preliminary agreement, as reported by Channel 13.
Hamas demands to release significantly fewer hostages than what Israel is requesting, and Israel is unwilling to compromise, according to the report.
Channel 12 news reported on Sunday evening that during the discussion between Netanyahu and Trump, the Prime Minister urged the President-elect to pressure negotiators to agree to a substantially higher number of hostages to be freed, stating that Hamas is currently proposing an "unacceptable number" within the "humanitarian" framework.
On Sunday night, Netanyahu convened the national security cabinet at the IDF Central Command headquarters in Jerusalem, as reported by The Times of Israel.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara participated in the meeting as well.
During the session, the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet security agencies informed ministers of a new willingness from Hamas to negotiate, according to Ynet, citing a senior Israeli official.
"The expectation is that we will be able to reach an agreement within weeks," the official stated.
Ministers also deliberated on the security situation in the West Bank, where recent confrontations between Palestinian Authority security forces and local terror groups have heightened concerns about escalating violence spilling over into Israel.
Meanwhile, Trump's appointment for US special envoy on hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, is scheduled to visit Israel discreetly this week, according to a Ynet report. Although he is coming as a private citizen, he is anticipated to meet with Israeli officials regarding the Gaza hostages.
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Hamas had conceded to an Israeli demand for the IDF to maintain a temporary presence in Gaza under a potential ceasefire-hostage agreement after previously refusing to release additional hostages unless Israel consented to a complete withdrawal from the enclave and cessation of the conflict, which the government has rejected.
Israel estimates that 96 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7 are still in the Strip, a figure that includes the bodies of at least 34 captives confirmed deceased by the IDF.
In a video message released on Sunday, Netanyahu characterized his dialogue with Trump as "very friendly, very warm, and very significant," focusing on the necessity to "achieve Israel's victory" -- a week after the abrupt collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and several weeks into a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel is "transforming the Middle East," noting that he had pledged a year ago that the nation would do so through its military campaign, and it has.
"Syria is no longer the same Syria, Lebanon has changed, Gaza is different, and the leader of the axis -- Iran -- is also altered," the Prime Minister stated.
"We are dedicated to preventing Hezbollah from rearming," Netanyahu reiterated.
"This is an ongoing challenge for Israel, and we must confront it -- and we will. I convey to Hezbollah and Iran unequivocally -- to deter you from endangering us, we will continue to act against you as necessary, in every arena and at all times."
Israel and Hezbollah entered a fragile ceasefire last month that has largely held, following over a year of daily rocket and drone assaults on Israel by the Iranian-backed Lebanese terror group. Nevertheless, Israel has targeted several Hezbollah operatives and facilities in response to alleged ceasefire violations, according to which Hezbollah is prohibited from operating in southern Lebanon.
Recent waves of Israeli airstrikes have also obliterated an estimated 80 percent of the military capabilities of the fallen Assad regime in Syria, amid fears that the dictator's weapons could fall into hostile hands amid the chaotic takeover by jihadist-led rebel groups.
In his video message, Netanyahu reaffirmed that the strikes in Syria were executed to ensure that the weapons would not be utilized against Israel in the future. He also mentioned targeting arms supply routes to Hezbollah, citing a statement from the terror group's leader, Naim Qassem, that "Hezbollah has lost the military supply route through Syria at this stage."
"We have no desire for conflict with Syria," Netanyahu emphasized.
"We will shape Israel's policy towards Syria based on the evolving ground reality," he stated, noting that the current regional situation is "dynamic -- it changes rapidly."
